CEBU -- The Chapel of Holy Relics in Tabor Hill, Barangay Talamban, Cebu City is now home to more than 4,000 relics after the Vatican added 2,040 more artifacts.
The repository, which was established in 2012 by Fr. Dennis Ruiz, OAD, chaplain and curator of the Chapel of Holy Relics, started with only 400 relics.
These 400 relics were given by different postulators that Fr. Ruiz befriended when he was still studying cultural heritage and history of the Church in Rome.
In 2016, a relic custodian of a big congregation in Rome handed some 2,040 relics to Fr. Ruiz for safe keeping.
On March 30, a relic of Blessed Sister Maria Giuseppina of Jesus Crucified a Discalced Carmelite arrived at Tabor Hill given by a different congregation.
Ruiz, an Augustinian priest, said his first two relics are those of Saint Augustine and Saint Monica.
He said he became interested in holy relics when he was still studying in Rome.
Because of his fascination, he requested more relics of Augustinian saints from big congregations in Rome until he completed the relics of the saints of the liturgical calendar.
Fr. Ruiz has, likewise, distributed these relics to different convents in Cebu.
Relics are what remain of a saint. It could be a body part or things they used when they were still alive.
Fr. Ruiz said there are three classifications of relics. First-class relics are parts of the saint's body like hair, blood, and bones. Second-class relics are items used by a saint like clothes, accessories, chair, etc. Third-class relics are materials used to touch the first- and second-class relics.
How to get there
From Colon Street, one can ride a jeepney (13C or 62C route) going to Talamban Gym. From the gym, you may ride a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) or you can just take a 15-minute walk going to Tabor Hill.
The Chapel of Holy Relics is open every day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will also be open to the public on Maundy Thursday, April 13, and Good Friday, April 14. (SunStar Philippines)